This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
"Is that the real Miss Nelson?" During the first week of school, that was burning question among my 3rd graders. The student population of my school is predominantly African-American so the sudden appearance of a new blond teacher who resembled and shared a name with a famous storybook character had my students convinced that Miss Nelson wasn't missing, she just got a new job in Chicago.
The arrival of this new teacher at our school ignited a renewed interest in James Marshall's classic books about Miss Nelson and her alter ego Viola Swamp. As a teacher I am always eager for opportunities to build upon my students' interests and integrate them into our curriculum.
I ransacked our school for old copies of his books and visited the public library to introduce my students to even more of his work. My students laughed their way through his stories and grew to love James Marshall as one of their favorite authors. However, the laughter turned to sadness when the books had to go back to the library and the old copies I had found started to fall apart.
That was a few months ago and by now their enthusiasm has died down a bit and they have found other authors who make them laugh the same way James Marshall did. However, every once in awhile something happens in our classroom that somehow connects to a James Marshall book. My students' eyes light up and that look of recognition comes across their faces. They turn toward the library ready to grab his books and show the connection.
But then reality sets in and they remember that those books weren't ours or that we had to toss Miss Nelson in the trash because the taped-on cover was no longer taped. I don't want these books to simply be a forgotten memory. I want them to be a staple in my classroom library, something for my students this year to enjoy, and something that will continue to give to my future students.
I am asking for several copies of James Marshall's more famous books and then a variety of his lesser known stories. Having an abundance of James' Marshall's books in my library will provide hours of laughter for my students and will reinforce the concept that reading should be a pleasurable activity.
Your generosity can help bring James Marshall back into our classroom and ensure that Miss Nelson will never go missing again. Your donation can give her a permanent home in my classroom and in the hearts of my students.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Eaton and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.